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Incident
Detective Ralph White was shot and killed while chasing a burglar. Detective White and his partner noticed a suspicious vehicle in front of a service station and stopped to investigate. As the car attempted to leave the officers stopped it. While approaching the car they noticed another man attempting to hide behind the service station counter. Detective White went to the rear of the store to prevent the burglar from escaping. His partner then heard two shots and looked up to see Detective White fall as he was chasing the man from the back of the store. During the pursuit, they exchanged shots, with Detective White being shot once in the chest and the suspect being shot once in the leg. Detective White was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was arrested later at a hospital when he came to seek treatment for his gunshot wound. On April 5, 1954, the 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 75 years in prison. He was paroled on November 2, 1967. Detective White had been with the Lubbock Police Department for four years and had just been assigned to the detective bureau.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective White gave the Lubbock Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lubbock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lubbock Police Department has lost 8 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 4 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 26. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Ralph was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 8 deaths at Lubbock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lubbock Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Lubbock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
